- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd; First edition. Hardback. No dustjacket. edition (3 Nov 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0857862405
- ISBN-13: 978-0857862402
- Product Dimensions: 20 x 13.6 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 422,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Pyg
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Product Description
Review
A delicious book. A reminder of the risks, the drama and the quite extraordinary comedy of being born with a snout, four hooves and a corkscrew tail. --Marie Darrieussecq, author of Pig Tales
Product Description
'Had it not been for the fortuitous circumstances of Sam's youthful sentiment, there can be little doubt that, instead of this my Book before you on your Table, you would have a rasher of Bacon and a Rack of Ribs - and that these would be my only mortal remains.' So begin the beguiling memoirs of TOBY, whose meteoric rise to Fame from his humble beginnings on a Salford farm is a story so Extraordinary you won't ever be able to forget it. For these are no ordinary Memoirs; these are the memoirs of a PIG. The most gifted, charming, distinguished (and luckiest) pig in History. After escaping the butcher's knife with the help of his steadfast companion Sam, Toby soon finds himself under the order of the volatile impresario Silas Bisset and his travelling menagerie of performing monkeys, horses, turkeys and canaries. Before too long, he is packing out theatres and concert halls, impressing the crowds with his ability to count, spell and even read the minds of ladies. But celebrity comes at a cost, as Toby soon finds out ...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
"I know of no other animals who are more consistently curious, more willing to explore new experiences, more ready to meet the world with open mouthed enthusiasm. Pigs, I have discovered, are incurable optimists and get a big kick out of just being."
- Lyall Watson, 'The Whole Hog'
'Pyg' tells the tale of Toby, a pig whose feats of learning and intelligence astound such 18th Century luminaries as Samuel Johnson, Anna Seward, William Blake and Robert Burns. A boy named Sam literally saves Toby's bacon by convincing his owner not to sell him at market. When Toby demonstrates his remarkable intelligence, it becomes obvious that much more money can be made from touring 'Toby the Sapient Pig' than by selling him as meat. Toby and Sam go to live with Silas Bissett, a mysterious figure on whose estate all manner of trained animals exist in apparent happiness. After a period of study during which Toby learns English, arithmetic and 'mind-reading' tricks, the menagerie embarks on a tour of Britain and Ireland. Toby's adventures see him coming dangerously close to being served up on a dinner table more than once; our porcine protagonist learns that for every charitable human who treats him with kindness and an open mind, there exists a cruel one eager to do him harm. Overcoming all adversity, Toby embarks on studies at Oxford University then later at the University of Edinburgh.
Having Toby as narrator of the story works well. The first-person (or, more correctly, first-pig) narrative is written with such excellence, and from such a uniquely porcine perspective, that the entire tale has a palpable sense of authenticity. The reader is on Toby's side from the start, rooting for the lovable pig throughout his myriad adventures, and fearing for his safety when he finds himself in danger. To anchor the book stylistically in the late 18th Century, Russell Potter has written it in eloquent old-school prose. Even the typeface (Caslon Antique, created in the late 1890s) and capitalisation of key words are true to the 18th Century style.
The story never feels implausible. That is testament to Russell Potter's literary prowess and the lovability of Toby as a main character.
A life-enriching book.
- Lyall Watson, 'The Whole Hog'
'Pyg' tells the tale of Toby, a pig whose feats of learning and intelligence astound such 18th Century luminaries as Samuel Johnson, Anna Seward, William Blake and Robert Burns. A boy named Sam literally saves Toby's bacon by convincing his owner not to sell him at market. When Toby demonstrates his remarkable intelligence, it becomes obvious that much more money can be made from touring 'Toby the Sapient Pig' than by selling him as meat. Toby and Sam go to live with Silas Bissett, a mysterious figure on whose estate all manner of trained animals exist in apparent happiness. After a period of study during which Toby learns English, arithmetic and 'mind-reading' tricks, the menagerie embarks on a tour of Britain and Ireland. Toby's adventures see him coming dangerously close to being served up on a dinner table more than once; our porcine protagonist learns that for every charitable human who treats him with kindness and an open mind, there exists a cruel one eager to do him harm. Overcoming all adversity, Toby embarks on studies at Oxford University then later at the University of Edinburgh.
Having Toby as narrator of the story works well. The first-person (or, more correctly, first-pig) narrative is written with such excellence, and from such a uniquely porcine perspective, that the entire tale has a palpable sense of authenticity. The reader is on Toby's side from the start, rooting for the lovable pig throughout his myriad adventures, and fearing for his safety when he finds himself in danger. To anchor the book stylistically in the late 18th Century, Russell Potter has written it in eloquent old-school prose. Even the typeface (Caslon Antique, created in the late 1890s) and capitalisation of key words are true to the 18th Century style.
The story never feels implausible. That is testament to Russell Potter's literary prowess and the lovability of Toby as a main character.
A life-enriching book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Russell A. Potter was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1960. He earned his Ph.D. in English Literature from Brown University in 1991 and is a Professor of English at Rhode Island College. Pyg was first published in 2011, though Potter is at pains to identify himself only as the book's editor. The book is, in fact, the autobiography of Toby - a very well-educated pig born in the eighteenth century.
So far as Toby was able to work out, he was born in 1781 - on a farm near Salford, owned by one Frank Lloyd. Being a farmer, Lloyd naturally saw his livestock as a way to make a living - in Toby's case, that obviously means bacon and ham. Luckily, the farmer's nephew had a different view of things. Young Sam Nicholson, who had been staying with his uncle for a spell, took a shine to Toby for some reason : it was Sam who 'christened' Toby and, when it came to feeding time, he made sure that his porcine friend was particularly well-fed. Thanks to Sam's careful attention, Toby soon grew to be the biggest of his farrow. Both uncle and nephew were delighted with his progress, though where Sam was simply proud of his pig, Lloyd was thinking more of the money he'd make at market.
Only Lloyd really knew what lay ahead and, when market day came, both Toby and Sam were delighted to have won the Blue Ribbon for the Best Pig. However, only when Toby is sold to a man called Wilson does the penny drop. Thankfully, Sam won't just give up - he stows away on Wilson's cart, helps his friend escape a certain death and, together, they go on the run. A couple of weeks after their escape, they stumble across Silas Bisset - and it's here that Toby's road to fame as an educated pig begins.
Toby was a very likeable character and, from early in the book, I knew I'd be sorry to reach the final page. The book is written in the style of the time - there are plenty of capitalisations and some words are spelt differently to now - and there are plenty of guest appearances from the period's big names. (Anna Seward, Doctor Samuel Johnson and Doctor William Adams, for example, all appear as friends and admirers of Toby). I did smile at one point, when Toby's travels took him through Tamworth. I'm sure he'd have been delighted to learn how, so many years later, he inspired the Tamworth Two to make their own bolt for freedom. With the lead character a pig, the obvious description would be a sort of Babe or Charlotte's Web for grown-ups - though I'd see quite a bit in common with Firmin by Sam Savage too. A hugely enjoyable, very well-written book and totally recommended.
So far as Toby was able to work out, he was born in 1781 - on a farm near Salford, owned by one Frank Lloyd. Being a farmer, Lloyd naturally saw his livestock as a way to make a living - in Toby's case, that obviously means bacon and ham. Luckily, the farmer's nephew had a different view of things. Young Sam Nicholson, who had been staying with his uncle for a spell, took a shine to Toby for some reason : it was Sam who 'christened' Toby and, when it came to feeding time, he made sure that his porcine friend was particularly well-fed. Thanks to Sam's careful attention, Toby soon grew to be the biggest of his farrow. Both uncle and nephew were delighted with his progress, though where Sam was simply proud of his pig, Lloyd was thinking more of the money he'd make at market.
Only Lloyd really knew what lay ahead and, when market day came, both Toby and Sam were delighted to have won the Blue Ribbon for the Best Pig. However, only when Toby is sold to a man called Wilson does the penny drop. Thankfully, Sam won't just give up - he stows away on Wilson's cart, helps his friend escape a certain death and, together, they go on the run. A couple of weeks after their escape, they stumble across Silas Bisset - and it's here that Toby's road to fame as an educated pig begins.
Toby was a very likeable character and, from early in the book, I knew I'd be sorry to reach the final page. The book is written in the style of the time - there are plenty of capitalisations and some words are spelt differently to now - and there are plenty of guest appearances from the period's big names. (Anna Seward, Doctor Samuel Johnson and Doctor William Adams, for example, all appear as friends and admirers of Toby). I did smile at one point, when Toby's travels took him through Tamworth. I'm sure he'd have been delighted to learn how, so many years later, he inspired the Tamworth Two to make their own bolt for freedom. With the lead character a pig, the obvious description would be a sort of Babe or Charlotte's Web for grown-ups - though I'd see quite a bit in common with Firmin by Sam Savage too. A hugely enjoyable, very well-written book and totally recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The title of this book, 'Pyg: the memoirs of a learned pig', is what caught my attention. It made me smile even before I lifted the cover and turned the first page. Toby, the aforementioned pig, is writing in the nineteenth century and, indeed, he deserves the accolade of 'learned'. His style is erudite and intelligent, perfectly capturing the literary style of the nineteenth century. The tales of Toby's exploits and adventures are entertainingly and amusingly crafted. Suspend your rational mind, let your imagination take a leap and dive into this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
This little pyg ...
This is an interesting concept ... the recording of a pig's life. This is, however, no ordinary pig and no ordinary pig's life. This is Toby, a learned pyg! Read more
Published 2 months ago by hmcni
An interesting notion and a pleasant read
Written from the viewpoint of the pig himself, this story anthropomorphizes a lowly farmyard animal, and gives him the ability to read and write and takes you through his eventful... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Peter Coupe
An insight into the life of Toby the wonder pig!
I didn't realise when I ordered this book that this is a reprint of a book first published in the 1800s. It tells the life story of a pig called Toby. He is no ordinary pig though. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Douglas
Odd little memoir - written by a pig?
I must confess to a certain fondness for all things Pigge - especially Bacon! And I have always considered them to be amongst the most intelligent of animals (just after Dog, and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. R. N. Shackelford
A Pig's Tale!
Russell Potter's creation, Toby, is a wonderful narrator. Toby, the "learned pig" of the subtitle, escapes from the fate of other farm pigs and makes his way from Oxford to London... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Jane Hawkes
I will look at my next bacon sandwich quite differently
The self-told story of a learned pig is possibly one of the more unusual books that I've read recently but thanks to how well it was written I found it surprisingly believable, and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by cbrynr
Clever premise, a little dry
It's an intriguing idea: a sapient pig records his life for posterity, from his early days in the farmyard to his escape from the slaughterhouse to his career as a sideshow act. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Dawson
A quirky, curly tale (or should that be tail?)
'Had it not been for the fortuitous circumstances of Sam's youthful sentiment, there can be little doubt that, instead of this my Book before you on your Table, you would have a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Grr
Porcine irritation
Boy meets pig, rescues him from becoming bacon, finds safe harbour with an animal trainer who trains the pig to appear to read, while the boy teaches him to actually read, they hit... Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. J. Russell-pattison
Charlotte's Web for the Victorian adult
The basic plot is that a pig escapes the slaughterhouse to be trained up as a performing animal in a Victorian travelling show. Read more
Published 3 months ago by CJ Savernake
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